Boating, Kayaking and Paddleboarding: Your Questions

Yes, if you operate any motorized boat. Under Brianna's Law, a safe boating certificate has been required of all motorized boat operators in New York, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025, according to New York State Parks (opens in a new tab). Boating safety courses are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and by each state, the Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says. See boating safety courses in New York.

Sources: parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab), uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

At a minimum, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket in good condition and the right size for each person on board, the Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says. Boats longer than 16 feet also need a throwable device, though canoes and kayaks do not. Boats under 39.4 feet need some way to make an efficient sound signal, such as a horn or whistle. Other rules depend on the boat, so read the Coast Guard's federal requirements guide and your state's rules. Use the and see the boating safety checklist.

Source: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

A float plan tells someone on shore where you are going and when you will be back, so they can raise the alarm if you don't return. The Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says to complete one and leave it with a responsible person every time you go out. The National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) says it should include your trip, boat, passengers, vehicle, communication equipment and emergency contacts. Minnesota's DNR (opens in a new tab) adds: tell that person to call 911 if you are not back on time. See how to file a float plan.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), weather.gov (opens in a new tab), dnr.state.mn.us (opens in a new tab)

Stay with your boat. Minnesota's DNR (opens in a new tab) says to stay with a capsized boat and try to climb back on, because a boat in the water is easier for rescuers to find, and not to swim unless it is to a nearby boat or floating object. Keep your clothes on, since most clothing helps you float. In a river, keep your feet pointed downstream and off the bottom, and stay upstream of the boat (MN DNR (opens in a new tab)). Wear your life jacket before you launch. See kayak and canoe safety.

Sources: dnr.state.mn.us (opens in a new tab), dnr.state.mn.us (opens in a new tab)

It can be, with the basics in place. Paddlecraft, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, accounted for 26% of U.S. boating deaths in 2024 (U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab)). Minnesota's DNR (opens in a new tab) advises wearing a life jacket, paddling in a group, telling someone your route and return time, checking the weather, and taking extra care in cold water: boating accidents are five times more likely to be fatal in water colder than 60 degrees. Start on calm, warm water near shore. See kayak and canoe safety for beginners.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), dnr.state.mn.us (opens in a new tab)

Learn to swim first if you can, and always wear a foam life jacket. Beyond a swimming, surfing or bathing area, the Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) treats a paddleboard as a vessel, so life jacket rules apply. The Coast Guard also says inflatable life jackets are not appropriate for weak swimmers or non-swimmers (opens in a new tab), so a non-swimmer needs an inherently buoyant (foam) jacket. Stay close to shore and go with others. See paddleboard safety and adult swim lessons.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

An engine cut-off switch (ECOS) is a safety device that shuts off the motor if the operator is thrown from the helm; it works through a link the operator wears. Since April 1, 2021, operators of recreational boats under 26 feet with engines of about 3 horsepower or more must use the cut-off link when running on plane or above displacement speed, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab). It is not required when the helm is in an enclosed cabin, or when docking, trolling or in no-wake zones. See Engine cut-off switch.

Source: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

Shout, keep your eyes on the person, and get something that floats to them. The Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says throwable devices must be immediately available for use. Don't jump in after them: the rule reach or throw, don't go (opens in a new tab) applies on boats too. Call for help on your phone or on VHF channel 16, which Minnesota's DNR (opens in a new tab) notes the Coast Guard monitors. Everyone aboard should know where the safety gear is. See what to do if you fall off a boat.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), redcross.org (opens in a new tab), dnr.state.mn.us (opens in a new tab)

It is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents. Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 20% of U.S. boating deaths in 2024, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab). The CDC (opens in a new tab) says alcohol is involved in about 1 in 5 reported boating deaths and up to 70% of deaths linked to water recreation among teens and adults. Keep the operator and passengers sober. See boating under the influence.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), cdc.gov (opens in a new tab)

A free courtesy inspection of your boat by a trained volunteer examiner, usually from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Auxiliary (opens in a new tab) says a check takes about 15 to 30 minutes and is 100% free, and no citation is issued if your boat does not pass; you get a written report on what to fix. Boats that pass get a decal for the year. The Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) says it checks the safety equipment required by state and federal rules. See the boating safety checklist.

Sources: cgaux.org (opens in a new tab), uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

Look for a course approved by NASBLA and your state. The Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) points boaters to course finders run by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons, and your state boating agency lists approved options. The BoatUS Foundation (opens in a new tab), a nonprofit, offers a free online boater safety course that it says is state and NASBLA approved. In New York, check that the course meets the state certificate requirement. See boating safety courses in New York.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), boatus.org (opens in a new tab), parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab)

Trips in small open boats, without training and without life jackets. In 2024, four of every five boaters who drowned were on boats shorter than 21 feet, where length was known, and 69% of deaths happened on boats whose operator had no boating safety instruction, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab). Open motorboats (46%), paddlecraft (26%) and pontoons (8%) had the highest shares of deaths. See the boating safety checklist.

Source: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab)

Yes, on small boats. New York law requires anyone underway in a boat under 21 feet between November 1 and May 1 to wear a securely fastened life jacket, including in canoes, kayaks, rowboats and motorboats, according to New York State Parks (opens in a new tab). Cold water is the reason: the National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) says cold shock can be as severe in 50-60°F water as in near-freezing water. See cold-water paddling and early-season boating.

Sources: parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab), weather.gov (opens in a new tab)

Write a float plan and pick who will hold it. Check that you have a wearable, fitted life jacket for every person, a throwable device if your boat is over 16 feet, and a whistle or horn, as the Coast Guard (opens in a new tab) requires. Book a free vessel safety check (opens in a new tab), and if you drive a motorboat in New York, make sure you have your boating safety certificate. Print the . See the boating safety checklist.

Sources: uscgboating.org (opens in a new tab), cgaux.org (opens in a new tab)